Disclaimer: I in no way own Sons of Anarchy. I do claim Natalie, Gus, Ave, Mr. Gregory.
I would like to thank everyone for their reviews I love to read what you all are thinking. This chapter there is different points of views, just a heads up. Like last time you will know exactly whose point of view you are reading. Now I'm really excited about the next couple chapters, so I really hope you enjoy this one.
Chapter 13- The First Lady
"Natalie you have five minutes to get your ass out of that bed before I come in there," Gemma calls through Ava's guest bedroom door. She banged on it for a good five minutes before she started her threats.
I just moan as a response. It took me forever to fall asleep last night; my head is still pounding like crazy. I slowly get out of the bed I'm a bit stiff. Crack, crackare those my bones? Man it should be a crime for someone my age to make this much noise. I grab my bag that was packed and walk over to the door. I lean on it for a minute, I feel like crawling back to bed, but I really don't want Gemma to "come in here." Slowly I open the bedroom door and stumble across the hall to the bathroom.
I splash some water on my face to wake myself up. As I look up into the mirror I gasp. I didn't really pay attention to the bruises yesterday. I look like I got into a fight and lost big time. I sigh and grab my tooth brush. As soon as I finish I get dressed. Today I'm in a black tank top, black jean shorts, my mother's necklace, and some killer multi-strap sandals with a nice heal. I know shopping in them is going to kill my feet but it will be so worth it. I leave my hair down and put my sunglasses on top of my head. I put on a little bit of mascara and lip gloss and head back to the guest bedroom. I put my stuff in my bag, make the bed, and pick up my black leather bag with my wallet already inside it. I pick up my other bag that I brought over last night and head to the kitchen. Just before I go to open the door leading to the kitchen I can hear the conversation going on inside.
"Look Gemma we're not going to agree about this. Just look after her alright," I hear Gus say.
"Alright, I'll look out for her. Just give them a chance," Gemma says as I walk into the kitchen.
Ava's Point of View
Nat barely slept last night, I could hear her tossing and turning. I know she likes Tig but I just don't think he is any good for her. I mean she got kidnapped, beat up, and put through a lot of emotional trauma. I want to protect her otherwise I wouldn't have said anything to Tig yesterday after she went upstairs.
Natalie had just practically run upstairs away from us all. I just want to protect her why can't she see that. Tig goes to follow her but Clay steps in front of him. "I'll go talk to her." He says and walks upstairs.
"This is exactly why I don't want her any where near you," Gus says walking up to Tig. "If it wasn't for you she wouldn't be going through this right now…." Gus starts to raise his voice and Gemma cuts in.
"That's enough Gus, and lower your damn voice, she doesn't need to hear this," she says standing up.
"No it's exactly what she needs to hear," I add in. "We have been taking care of that girl for awhile now. She is like our daughter. I never wanted something like this to happen to her. And you know what? This probably isn't the worst she is going to ever be hurt by because of him."
"What's that suppose to mean?" Tig says in a low voice. "I would never hurt her."
"She doesn't mean physically," Tara says ignoring Gemma's glare. "What about the girls on the runs? The crow eaters back home? Natalie isn't the type of girl to just accept that. You are going to crush her if she ever found out what you really do. In the end you will walk away and she will be a shell of who she is now."
"I would never do that," Tig tries to argue.
"You will, you need to end this now before she gets hurt again," Gus tells him.
"You all need to mind your own business and let Natalie make up her own mind on whether or not she wants to see him," Gemma says angrily. "Stop trying to make decisions for her."
"I will not wait around to hear that my daughter has been killed or kidnapped Gemma," Gus says just as angrily. "If he continues to see her that is exactly what will happen. I love her too much to let him destroy her."
"What makes you think that?" Gemma asks.
"He's a killer Gemma, he is ruthless and cold, she is the total opposite. She is smart, caring, and has a bright future. She should never have been exposed to this world. I know what he has done, so do you. How can you expect me to stand around and say nothing when I know in the end she will always end up hurt."
I turn and look as I hear Tara talking to Tig over by the window. "You know they're right. We are just trying to keep her safe and happy cant you see that? Your not a bad person, it's just your not right for her."
"Tara you need to stay out of this. In fact all of you need to shut up and leave him alone," Jax says sounding irritated.
"They're right Jax," Tig says softly. "If I stay around she'll end up hurt or worse. Don't worry I'll end it," he says and walks away. Moments later Natalie and Clay come down the stairs.
I can't believe how angry with us all she was. Though I do have to admit she has been a lot happier lately. Watching them together last night during dinner was an eye opener. She talked and laughed as if she was the one who had known them all for years. At first I wasn't opposed to the idea of them together, but that was before someone broke into her house and hurt her. I can only hope that he doesn't break her heart.
"Look who I found trying to steal our paper," I turn around and see Gus walk into the kitchen with Gemma.
"Morning," she says.
"Morning, want some coffee?" I ask.
"Please. Is Natalie up yet?"
"Nope you are probably going to have to pry her out of that bed with a crowbar," I laugh.
"Alright, Gus if I'm not back in ten minutes with her up, break out your tools," she says walking out the kitchen door. I just laugh and get her coffee ready for her.
Gemma's Point of View
I pull up at Gus' and Ava's house. As I get out of my car I see Gus walking down the driveway to get the paper. "Morning," I say.
"If your selling I'm not buying, I have already found Jesus, and no I won't help you find your lost animal or child," Gus says looking serious.
"Cute," I smile.
"Morning Gemma, come inside we'll get ya a cup of coffee," he smiles and leads the way into the house and into the Kitchen.
As we walk in the Kitchen Gus says to Ava, "Look who I found trying to steal our paper." Honestly this man is a menace.
"Morning," I say.
"Morning, want some coffee?"
"Please. Is Natalie up yet?" I ask looking around the kitchen.
"Nope you are probably going to have to pry her out of that bed with a crowbar," she laughs.
"Alright, Gus if I'm not back in ten minutes with her up, break out your tools," I say and walk out of the kitchen.
I head down the hall to the guest bedroom. I knock and knock for almost five minutes. Ok that's it, "you have five minutes to get your ass out of that bed before I come in there," I call through the door. I hear a moan as confirmation that she heard me. As I walk into the kitchen I hear the bedroom door open.
"Alright she's up," I say sitting down and picking up my cup of coffee. We drink our coffee and chat about the diner, "So did the plumber fix that pipe at the diner?"
"Yes, not that I couldn't fix it," Gus mumbles making Ava and I laugh.
"So what's the plan today?" Ava asks.
"Well I was thinking on heading to the next town over to go the shopping mall, maybe find her something to wear tonight." As soon as I mention tonight both of their faces fell. They really need to get over this. "I say something wrong?"
"Look Gemma we're not going to agree about this. Just look after her alright," Gus says to me.
"Alright, I'll look out for her. Just give them a chance," I say before Natalie walks into the kitchen.
Natalie's Point of View
I walk into the kitchen lugging my bag and purse. I just smile acting as if I hadn't been eavesdropping. "Good morning everyone," I say as I put my bags down and sit next to Gemma at the table.
"Morning sweetheart," Gus says.
"Morning," Ava says handing me a cup of coffee.
"Thank you," I say taking a sip.
"Morning, how are you feeling," Gemma asks.
"Not bad, I just have a small headache," I lie.
"Uh huh, when you're ready we'll take off."
"I'm ready when you are," I tell her.
"Ok, let's get going," she says and stands up. "Gus, Ava," she says and picks up my overnight bag.
"I'll see you both later," I say hugging them both. Gemma and I both walk out of the house and head to her car. As we get in I look over and see Gus standing at the door, so I smile and wave at him, and he returns the gesture.
"Ok we are going to the next town over to the shopping mall," Gemma tells me pulling away from the house. "You gonna be able to shop in those shoes?" she asks me.
"We'll see," I laugh. "If not at least my feet will look good."
Thirty minutes later we found ourselves at a small diner about ten minutes from the mall. We were seated at a booth drinking coffee and waiting for our meal to arrive. "How's your head sweetheart?" Gemma asks.
"It's ok right now, as long as I'm not around anything loud," I say and she nods. "So do you know where he is taking me tonight?" I ask trying to be sneaky.
"Yes I do, but I'm not going to tell you anything," she laughs and I pout. "You have a nice house." She says making conversation.
"Thank you. I try to keep it up, and everything like it was," I smile.
"If you don't mind me asking why aren't you in college?" She asks
"Well I barely got through the end of high school; I guess I just lost interest. Not to mention college costs a lot these days."
"Your parents didn't leave you anything?"
"They did, but there wasn't much. You see they had just paid off the house, and they had invested practically all of their savings in starting dad's practice." I say looking up at her. "Dad wasn't a major lawyer, but he did a great job. He worked and helped people, unlike those blood sucking ones that only care about money. He wanted to make a difference. Finally after a few years of debate mom convinced him to start a practice. Him and his partner Uncle Ben put soo much into getting it started," I smile remembering how hard my dad used to work. "So after all the bills were paid, and everything settled I got what was left. I work at the dinner to help pay the bills and for when I need anything. I don't like to touch that money in case I absolutely need it. As for college, I was just so broken when they died that I probably would have flunked out before I even began."
"Like I said that day I officially met you, you're a tough one," she smiles at me. Just then our waiter brings over our food.
An hour later we entered the mall. "Ok sweetheart, it is 11:00 now, so we have a couple hours to shop before we have to head to your house. Let's get started."
We walked into the first store and began to look. The only problem I have is I have no idea where we are going so I don't know what would be appropriate to wear. I know it won't be anything fancy, but I still need to know what kind of out fit would be appropriate. "Hey Gemma I don't even know what to look for."
"Anything but a skirt or dress and you'll be fine," she says going through a rack of cloths. "How about this one?" She is holding the most hideous purple halter top that has these bright green polka dots all over it. As I look at her in shock she starts to laugh, "What you don't like it?" she says looking back and forth between me and the top still laughing. "You should see the look on your face right now, it's priceless."
"Thank goodness you were joking, cuz I was going to ask if you were crazy," I laugh.
For the next couple of hours we went from store to store. I picked out some things I like, but still nothing for tonight. As we walk into the last store I look over at Gemma sounding extremely pathetic I say, "I'm never going to find anything."
"Come on I'm sure we will find something in here. If not we'll mix something you bought today with what you have at home." She shrugs walking through the store.
We both go through the racks trying to find anything. Practically all day long I would pick out something and she would give me "are you sure that's what you want" kind of look. Not to mention it didn't help that peoplekept starring at me all day. In the last store while I was looking all sad because I couldn't find anything a clerk actually asked me if I had been kidnapped and needed help. I just laughed and said no, I had gotten in a fight with a girl twice my size who I suspected was actually a male. he just noded his head and looked at me sympathetically.
"I think I found something," I look over at Gemma who is smiling like she had just won the lottery. I look at what she is holding and it's perfect. My favorite colors and everything. Gemma has great taste we're going to have to go shopping together again soon. "Do you own any boots with a thick heel, not a thin one?"
"Yes I do, and I have the perfect jeans that I bought when we first got here." I say thinking of how the outfit is going to look.
"Perfect, is there anything else you want because we have to get going. We need enough time to get back, get some lunch, and then get you ready." She lists off as she stares down at her watch.
"Nope I'm good," I tell her already heading towards the register.
The whole drive home I'm practically bouncing up and down in my seat, I'm so excited for tonight. "Baby girl I think you've had a little too much coffee today," Gemma laughs.
"Nah, I'm just excited," I laugh. "You sure you won't hint on where he is taking me?"
"Nope, but you'll have fun."
"Thank you for taking me today Gemma, I have had a lot of fun," I tell her sincerely.
"Me too sweetheart, it's not often I get any girl time to go shopping."
"Can I ask you a personal question," I ask carefully.
"Sure," she looks at me questioningly.
"What's the deal between you and Tara? I mean from the amount of time I spent with her she irritated the hell out of me. I also noticed that you don't like her very much so I was just curious." I say hoping I didn't just put my foot in my mouth.
She sighs and glances at me. "Tara and Jax were high school sweethearts. When she left she messed Jax up pretty bad. She could never accept the club part of Jax's life. She sits on a moral high horse and looks down on the rest of us."
"Sorry I didn't mean to upset you." I say.
"You didn't sweetheart, it's just a sore topic with me. I never have been able to bring myself to like her," she says softly.
"Well I can't say that I blame you," I smile at her. "So Jax is the clubs Vice President?"
"Yes, and Clay is the President," she answers and I can hear the pride in her voice.
"So you're like the first lady," I say and she starts to laugh.
"That's one way you can look at it."
"I understand that there is more to the club than meets the eye," I tell her turning serious. She looks at me and gets ready to say something but I start before she can. "I also don't care. I accept Tig for who he is, and I wouldn't want him to change. I understand that if anything happens with Tig and this isn't a one date thing, there will be times when the club comes first. I'm just enjoying the time I do get to spend with him, and I promise I won't judge him. I don't want the details of what goes on, I get that there is stuff I can't know. I just wanted to let you know I would never make him chose. You guys are his family and I get that."
"Your one on the rare ones baby girl," she says and smiles over at me. "Now I've only got bits and pieces of details, what really happened the day you two met?" For the rest of the ride I entertained her with the encounters I have had with Tig.
Ok details on Natalie's outfit will be in the next chapter. I think I have picked out a pretty Tigish date. Personally I don't think Tig is one to take anyone out on a date, but just remember Natalie is pretty special. I realize that it does seem like Natalie is reaching out more towards Gemma and pulling away from Ava and Gus, but I see a lot of Gemma in Natalie. Gemma is one of my favorite characters and she always seems so strong, I wanted Natalie to have someone she could relate to. She is still going to have a relationship with Gus and Ava but right now its going to be a little strained. They are like parents to her and she is dating someone they disapprove of so of course there is going to be tension. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter, the date is next chapter.